Page 126 of Breaking Point

I try to keep calm. Focusing on one thing at a time.

Crew spares most of the details, but he’s quick to tell me everything. I still don’t understand, but I can’t worry about anything except for keeping Crew conscious and awake. I forcemyself to nod, the adrenaline wearing off and the tremors finally hitting me.

I only relax when I see Skar, Ricky, and my dad return from the flames. They’re carrying the guards from inside- all of which are still unconscious.

Something like relief floods through me as I realize that maybe all of this really is over. The exhaustion, the emotion of it all hits me, and I nearly collapse under the weight of it.

Everything that happens after is a blur.

Chapter Fifty-Nine

Crew

“You’ve torn open your stitches twice now,” the nurse says as she draws the last of the needle and thread through my skin.

My ribs should hurt, but as I flex my fingers and search the waiting room for Liv, I hardly feel anything.

She should be discharged soon.

“I’ll be more careful,” I say. She gives me a knowing look, lowering my arm at the sudden knock at the door.

“Mr. Bishop,” she dips her head in greeting, and as Taylor leans against the doorway and watches her patch my side, I smile. “I’ve heard your daughter is doing well.”

“She is. They’ve moved her out of Intensive care. Unfortunately though, I’m here to see this prick.”

The nurse smiles as I drag my shirt back over my head. She drops the bloody gauze and needle into a bin before washing her hands and thrusting a clipboard my way.

Her mouth is stern. “I’ll give you a minute to sign those. Then I don’t want to see you back in my ER for this again.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I say as she strolls outside.

Taylor’s body still bars the doorway, and I can tell from the tired look on his face that we can’t put off another conversation. After everything that happened… It's finally time.

"I have to admit, I never took you for someone to go behind my back."

I deserve the blow. I deserve everything he give s me.

“How long?” he asks quietly, and I feel the weight of this conversation come down like a kick to the gut.

This is about Liv. No, this is aboutmyshitty decisions when it came to the woman I love.

“Since Credence,” I answer truthfully.

“You’ve had feelings for her for longer.” He says the words like a question, but really we both know the answer.

“I didn’t plan to. After Winter, I didn’t think I could- or would. But it happened,” I admit. “I should’ve told you.”

“You should’ve told me a lot of things,” he scoffs, looking down.

I understand his bitterness. I made too many calls without consulting him. Without giving him a choice. This company is just as much his as it is mine- but I made the decisions I did anyways.

I blow out a breath. “I’m sorry.”

He nods slowly. His eyes wander over me, and I’m sure he can see the toll the past few days have taken on me. Charlotte and Liv have been in the hospital since yesterday. I was discharged easily enough. I went home. Showered. Tried to get my mind off of things to no avail.

"You knew she was off limits."

"I did."

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